John Thomas

The obscure New York singer John Thomas held one session around 1967 which resulted in two 45s for Veep. Either producer Henry Jerome, arranger Bert De Coteaux or somebody else at the recording date had the great good sense to include Who Could Ever Love You amongst the list of tracks. This wonderful ballad may just be the best song ever penned by those two amazing writer/producers Bert Berns and Jerry Ragavoy. It is best known for the version by the great Freddie Scott but at a slightly slower pace Thomas does a simply marvellous job swooping and soaring all round the near perfect melody . A real thriller. The flip Lonely Man is another very fine effort, a deep soul tune in the grand manner. Check out Thomas’ debt to Sam Cooke here – and more than a little nod towards the Big O as well if I’m not mistaken, especially in the opening horn flourish. What a great double sided 45 – sadly the successor isn’t nearly as good as neither uptempo side has the same magic.

 

Note ~ “Lonely man” can be found on the Sounds Good To Me CD “Deep And Gritty Vol 1 New York”.

Many thanks to Pete Nicokls for the wonderful picture.

 

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